Reservoir computing device using external-feedback laser system

Abstract

Various Reservoir Computing systems and a method performed by a Reservoir Computing system are provided. A Reservoir Computing system includes a laser for emitting light. The Reservoir Computing system further includes a mirror for reflecting external feedback light back to the laser. The Reservoir Computing system also includes a modulator for modulating the external feedback light reflected back to the laser. The Reservoir Computing system additionally includes a photo-detector for converting a laser output signal to an electrical signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A Reservoir Computing system, comprising:
 a laser for emitting light; 
 a mirror for reflecting external feedback light back to the laser; 
 a modulator for modulating the external feedback light reflected back to the laser; and 
 a photo-detector for converting a laser output signal to an electrical signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the modulator modulates the external feedback light by changing a reflectivity of the mirror. 
     
     
       3. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 2 , wherein the reflectivity of the mirror is changed by modulating a refractive index of the mirror using a non-linear optical effect. 
     
     
       4. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 2 , wherein the reflectivity of the mirror is changed by modulating a refractive index of the mirror based on electric current variation. 
     
     
       5. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the mirror comprises a Distributed Bragg Reflector. 
     
     
       6. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the modulator modulates the external feedback light by changing an effective optical path length between the laser and the photo detector. 
     
     
       7. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 6 , wherein the modulator comprises an optical switch for selectively enabling one of multiple available optical paths, each having a different effective optical path length between the laser and the photo detector. 
     
     
       8. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the optical switch comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. 
     
     
       9. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the multiple available optical paths comprises an optical delay loop. 
     
     
       10. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical waveguide for guiding the laser output signal. 
     
     
       11. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguide comprises a photonic crystal. 
     
     
       12. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser is a distributed feedback laser, and the laser, the mirror, the modulator, and the photo-detector are integrated on a Silicon photonics chip. 
     
     
       13. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser is a semiconductor laser. 
     
     
       14. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser operates at a pump power that is above a lasing threshold of the laser and below two times a pumping rate of the laser. 
     
     
       15. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser is a non-semiconductor laser. 
     
     
       16. The Reservoir Computing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for applying a learning algorithm to the electrical signal. 
     
     
       17. A method performed by a Reservoir Computing system, the method comprising:
 emitting, by a laser, light; 
 reflecting, by a mirror, external feedback light back to the laser; 
 modulating, by a modulator, the external feedback light reflected back to the laser; and 
 converting, by a photo-detector, a laser output signal to an electrical signal. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein said modulating step modulates the external feedback light by changing a reflectivity of the mirror. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the reflectivity of the mirror is changed by modulating a refractive index of the mirror using a non-linear optical effect. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the reflectivity of the mirror is changed by modulating a refractive index of the mirror based on electric current variation.